restaging

A process used to find out the amount or spread of cancer in the body if it comes back or gets worse after treatment. Restaging may also be done to find out how the cancer responded to treatment. If restaging is done and a new stage is assigned, the new stage will be marked with an “r” in front of it to show that it’s different from the original stage. Usually, the original stage stays the same, even if the cancer comes back or gets worse. The same tests that were done to diagnose the cancer are usually done again. Restaging helps doctors plan the best treatment for cancer that has come back or gotten worse.